Asda, the UK unit of Wal-Mart, is asking shoppers to help it identify unnecessary packaging so it can increase pressure on suppliers to cut waste.
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The UK’s number two grocer has committed to reducing over-packaging on all of its own-label food products by 25% during the next year.
Going one step further, Asda now wants its suppliers – including big brand names – to cut wasteful packaging. The retailer said the ‘leave it with us’ initiative will allow it to increase pressure on its suppliers, a move that could bring it “into direct conflict with some of the biggest brands in the country”.
Shoppers at Asda’s York and Dewsbury outlets are being invited to deposit examples of surplus packaging in bins in the foyer of each store. After examination, the results will be sent to suppliers identified with the expectation that steps will be taken to reduce waste. If the scheme proves a success, it could be extended to Asda stores nationwide, the company said.
“Each Asda store contains, on average, over 40,000 different products, so examining each one is a massive task,” an Asda spokesman said. “We want to reduce packaging waste as quickly as we can, so it makes perfect sense to enlist the help of an entire army of our most vigilant allies – our customers.
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By GlobalDataThe spokesman added: “This is a major step towards ensuring that everything we sell in our stores – regardless of who makes it – is made with the least amount of packaging required to protect and preserve that item.”
